What Knox County pet owners need to know about Young-Williams taking over animal control
Knoxville and Knox County pet owners will see a more proactive approach to animal control services now that the Young-Williams Animal Center, a nonprofit, will handle animal control enforcement duties.
"This approach will unite animal welfare organizations and law enforcement agencies, resulting in better service to our community’s people and pets," Young-Williams said in a statement. "Our focus will be on educating and assisting pet owners rather than the traditional responses of citing and seizure."
In other words, the new approach works toward welfare of individuals and their pets instead of starting with the legal system.
The shift in power - from law enforcement to nonprofit - comes after weeks of deliberation from the Knoxville City Council and Knox County Commission. Young-Williams officials argue it's aligned with a shift nationwide.
Here's what you need to know about Young-Williams' new authority.
What is Young-Williams?
The Young-Williams Animal Center has been in Knox County since 2001. It's a nonprofit whose mission is to end pet homelessness and promote animal welfare.
They offer pet adoptions, spaying/neutering and are now in charge of animal control services.
What does consolidation look like?
Knoxville will pay almost $416,000 for the transition. Young-Williams will hire 17 people: 15 officers, one supervisor and one director. Those will replace the nine animal control officers paid for by the city and six paid for by the county. The dollars saved by the elimination of those officers will offset the cost of the transition, according to the city.
The experts would work to reunite pets with owners onsite instead of through impoundment, as well as do pet licensing at homes and connect owners to the shelter's microchipping program.
Knoxville's animal control board will still exist, but with expansions: a representative of the Knoxville Police Department and two members from the public at large. Young-Williams will have a nonvoting representative as well.
What power will Young-Williams have?
Young-Williams workers will have the ability to issue citations and remove animals. They'll also provide resources to offenders for factors that led to misconduct.
"This ensures that offenders are held accountable and have opportunities to correct any unlawful acts," Young-Williams said in a statement.
They'll be able to remove animals from private properties if the situation meets certain criteria:
An officer witnesses an animal leave its owner’s property and stray in the surrounding area.
An officer obtains a warrant to seize an animal from a court of competent jurisdiction.
An officer determines without immediate intervention the animal will suffer serious harm or death.
Will the reporting process change?
No. Calls will continue to be dispatched through the nonemergency number: 865-215-8639.
Where will animal services be housed?
Animals will continue to come to Young-Williams’ main intake facility at 3201 Division St. Young-Williams, the city and the county are in the process of looking for a field service operations office.
Allie Feinberg reports on politics for Knox News. Email her: allie.feinberg@knoxnews.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @alliefeinberg.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Young-Williams to take over Knoxville and Knox County animal control
